Pedal position rate-based electronic throttle progression

Abstract

An engine control system in a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, an electronic throttle controlling air flow to the internal combustion engine, a controller controlling the position of the electronic throttle, an accelerator pedal having an accelerator pedal sensor that generates a signal to the controller, and where the controller computes a rate of change for the accelerator pedal and actuates the electronic throttle to a desired position based upon the rate of change for the accelerator pedal.

1. An engine control system in a vehicle comprising:
 an internal combustion engine;  
 an electronic throttle controlling air flow to said internal combustion engine;  
 a controller controlling the position of said electronic throttle;  
 an accelerator pedal having an accelerator pedal sensor which generates a signal to said controller;  
 wherein said controller computes a rate of change for said accelerator pedal and actuates said electronic throttle to a desired position based upon said rate of change for said accelerator pedal; and  
 wherein said predicted rate of change for said accelerator pedal is based upon at least a spring force of said accelerator pedal.  
 
     
     
       2. The engine control system of  claim 1  wherein said rate of change for said accelerator pedal comprises a rate of position change. 
     
     
       3. The engine control system of  claim 1  wherein rate of change for said accelerator pedal comprises a rate of force change. 
     
     
       4. The engine control system of  claim 1  wherein said internal combustion engine is a gasoline engine. 
     
     
       5. The engine control system of  claim 1  wherein said accelerator pedal sensor is a linear encoder. 
     
     
       6. The engine control system of  claim 1  wherein said accelerator pedal sensor is a potentiometer. 
     
     
       7. The engine control system of  claim 1  wherein said accelerator pedal sensor is a strain gauge. 
     
     
       8. An engine control system in a vehicle comprising:
 an internal combustion engine;  
 a throttle controlling air flow to said internal combustion engine;  
 a controller controlling the position of said electronic throttle;  
 an accelerator pedal having an accelerator pedal sensor which generates a signal to said controller;  
 wherein said controller predicts a rate of change for said accelerator pedal and actuates said electronic throttle to a desired position based upon said predicted rate of change for said accelerator pedal; and  
 wherein said predicted rate of change for said accelerator pedal is based upon at least a spring force of said accelerator pedal.  
 
     
     
       9. The engine control system  claim 8  wherein said rate of change for said accelerator pedal comprises a rate of position change. 
     
     
       10. The engine control system of  claim 8  wherein said rate of change for said accelerator pedal comprises a rate of force change. 
     
     
       11. The engine control system of  claim 8  wherein said internal combustion engine is a gasoline engine. 
     
     
       12. The engine control system of  claim 8  wherein said accelerator pedal sensor is a linear encoder. 
     
     
       13. The engine control system of  claim 8  wherein said accelerator pedal sensor is a potentiometer. 
     
     
       14. The engine control system of  claim 8  wherein said predicted rate of change is bated on the mass of said accelerator pedal.